Objective of the Game
Catan: The Rise of the Inka is a variant of the classic Catan game where players strive to complete three epochs by constructing settlements and cities, while collecting and trading resources. The main objective is to be the first player to complete all three epochs.
Game Components
- A game board with variable landscape hexes
- Resource cards (wood, brick, wool, grain, ore)
- Development cards
- Settlements, cities, and roads for each player in four colors
- Game rules
Setup
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Set up the game board: The game board is assembled by randomly arranging the hex tiles. Place the resource fields and the desert tile. Place number tokens on the resource fields.
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Starting placement: Each player begins with two settlements and two roads. These are placed on the board following the setup rules.
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Resource distribution: Each player receives resource cards according to the neighboring hexes of their starting settlements.
Game Play
The game is played in rounds consisting of the following three phases:
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Rolling the dice: The active player rolls the dice, and all players receive the respective resources from the neighboring fields. If a 7 is rolled, the robber comes into play.
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Trade and Build: In this phase, players may trade resources with each other or with the bank. Players may build roads, settlements, cities, and development cards.
- Build a settlement: Requires wood, brick, wool, and grain.
- Build a road: Requires wood and brick.
- Build a city: Replaces a settlement and requires two ore and grain.
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Development card: Requires ore, wool, and grain.
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Managing Degenerated Settlements: At the start of each epoch, players will have at least one “Degenerated Settlement,” which is overgrown with tarok and can be built over.
Special Rules and Strategies
- The Robber: Can steal resources from players and block resource production on a field.
- Degenerated Settlements: When you reach your second epoch, at least one of your settlements will become a "Degenerated Settlement," which can be taken over by your opponent. Quick and clever building is key to maintaining control over important land tracts.
- Trading: Trading with other players is crucial for success, particularly in terms of rare resources or strategic dominance of a resource type.
Players must carefully plan and adjust their strategies to gain leadership through the different epochs of the game and ultimately win. Diplomacy, strategic building, and optimizing resource production are key to victory.
